Engineering has been necessary for thousands of years. From the first buildings constructed in the United States to where we are today, the industry has been building and developing construction technologies.
If you’re a “math person” and would love to see the application of the subject in the world, Engineering could be the best course option for you.
Understanding the scope of engineering can assist you in determining whether engineering is an excellent fit for your interests and abilities.
What is Engineering?
Yes, I mentioned that by entering the Engineering course, you’ll make an application of mathematics.
The question is, what does an Engineer do?
The Engineers are in charge of developing and innovating new goods, services, technologies, and processes.
An Engineer can work in various fields, making this a versatile career path for aspiring engineers to pursue.
Engineers are committed to complying with their employer’s budget and timeline requirements. Engineers are professionals in their professions who are continually developing and innovating.
Engineering is an integral aspect of human culture. It dates back to the old age of The Giza Pyramids, Stonehenge, the Parthenon, and the Eiffel Tower.
If you think that the course only includes the construction of buildings, you’re completely wrong!
Engineering has a broad scope. Depending on the focus, the course involves designing, testing, construction, manufacturing, monitoring, and inspection of specific systems or objects.
While engineers work in various industries, their primary goal is to better structures and systems via innovation. Based on your interests, here are some popular engineering career alternatives.
- Electrical Engineering – electrical and electronic devices and transmission systems
- Mechanical Engineering – machines, tools, and devices
- Aerospace Engineering – everything used in space, such as aircraft and spacecraft
- Structural Engineering – load-bearing structures
- Civil Engineering – highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, railroads, and the like
- Nuclear Engineering – detection and control of nuclear radiation
- Chemical Engineering – processing chemicals and creating products
- Environmental Engineering – pollution management
- Biomedical Engineering – machines for the medical field
- Industrial Engineering – facilities for work environments.
- Computer Engineering – computer technologies and software
Why Engineering?
The career is relevant forever. You’ll never lose the spotlight when you choose the Engineering career path.
Second, it pays well. The United States Bureau of Statistics[1] shared that the average salary for engineering occupations is $79,840 as of May 2021.
With a projected job opportunity of 146,000 openings, you can earn as much as $130,000 as a Computer Hardware Engineer.
How to become an Engineer? Follow these 5 steps!
The profession may sound music to the ears, but the journey will be challenging. Here are the steps in acing that engineer title.
- Study and graduate with a bachelor’s degree
Many potential engineers choose to enroll in programs recognized by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the primary accrediting body for engineering programs in the United States.
A bachelor’s degree in the field of study you want to work in is required. Some engineering specialties may also require you to obtain a master’s degree.
- Take the Engineering Fundamentals Exam
To obtain a license to work as an engineer-in-training or intern, take the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test.
- Apply for entry-level positions for working experience
For full licensing, you must complete 4 years of on-the-job training. You can apply for a beginner position as an engineering intern after passing the NCEES FE exam and getting your license.
- Pass the licensure examination of your state
To become licensed to work mainly in your discipline, take the NCEES Professional Engineer (PE) exam. Depending on your professional path, you may need to be certified in multiple states. You’ll need to register for comity licensure in other states through NCEES.
- Upgrade your position!
Congratulations! You’re not a full-fledged engineer. Start applying for jobs related to your engineering field.
Before you go for it, are you fit to become an engineer? They say that engineers should possess excellent communication skills.
They must be a team player since they will lead a team for construction. Also, great engineers manage their time well and have keen attention to detail.
Are you a match? Try this self-evaluation test.[2] to check if engineering is for you.
If you’re convinced enough to take an engineering course, here is a list of the best Engineering schools in the United States.
Top 11 Best Engineering Schools in the US
Harvard University is one of the best engineering schools, located in the Massachusetts cities of Cambridge and Boston.
The institution is well-known all throughout the world. It is committed to quality in teaching, education, research, and the development of global leaders in various fields.
The institution has nearly 20,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
The University of California, Stanford, is found in California. They demand a $125 application fee and a $54,015 full-time tuition rate.
The engineering department at Stanford employs 272 employees. They can accommodate a maximum of 3,524 engineering students.
Many of the world’s largest technology companies have their headquarters here. An on-campus or off-campus summer internship could help you make the connections to land a job.
Urbana is home to the University of Illinois (Champaign). They can accommodate up to 3,733 full-time students.
In-state tuition prices for full-time learners are $18,256 per year, while out-of-state tuition fees are $34,330. They employ 440 full-time faculty members.
The University of Michigan (Ann ArborCollege ) of Engineering has a sliding application deadline.
For U.S. residents, the application price is $75, while for international students, the charge is $90.
In-state tuition is $26,336 per year, while out-of-state tuition is $49,508 per year.
A project-based learning paradigm is used in many of their classes. In November, they usually organize a symposium to highlight existing graduates’ work and recruit new first-year students.
The engineering departments have a maximum capacity of 3,285 students.
West Lafayette is home to Purdue University. Their College of Engineering can accommodate up to 3,130 full-time students.
They charge a $60 application fee for citizens of the United States and a $75 application cost for international students.
Tuition at Purdue University ranges from $10,330 for in-state students to $29,132 for out-of-state students every year.
They employ 397 individuals and accept applications on a rolling basis.
Carnegie Mellon University charges a $75 application fee, and full-time students pay $47,300 a year for tuition.
Carnegie Mellon also offers a part-time education option for $1,971 per credit. There are 285 full-time faculty members at the Carnegie Institute of Technology.
They can cater to 3,834 full-time students.
There are 3,120 full-time students enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Their full-time tuition costs around $51,520 per year on average.
They have around 20 research centers covering a wide range of industry and engineering specialties on-campus.
Berkeley is the common name for the University of California. It was founded in 1868 and is located in the Berkeley neighborhood.
The first generation of their families to attend college is represented by 23% of all freshmen on campus.
Berkeley aspires to “give much more than California’s gold to future generations’ glory and happiness.”
The application fee at the Georgia Institute of Technology is $75 for U.S. residents and $85 for international students.
Full-time tuition for in-state students is $13,788 per year, while out-of-state students pay $28,568 per year.
They offer over 20 engineering specializations at their College of Engineering, including medical physics and aeronautical engineering.
They can accommodate up to 4,085 full-time students and employ 564 workers.
California Institute of Technology is one of the top five engineering institutions in the country. They are located in Pasadena, California, and have 543 full-time students.
There is a $100 application fee. The school has a master’s degree program that can be completed in a year (if you qualify).
They also offer the more typical engineering specializations of structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering. They even have a degree in aeronautical engineering.
Urbana is home to the University of Illinois (Champaign). They can accommodate up to 3,733 full-time students with 440 full-time faculty members.
In-state tuition prices for full-time learners are $18,256 per year, while out-of-state tuition fees are $34,330.
Conclusion
You’re lucky to be in the United States. It is home to the most competitive engineers in the world.
People from all over the world travel to the United States to further their education in engineering-related disciplines.
With tons of best engineering schools out there, which do you prefer?
Whichever school it is, always choose wisely according to your best interest.
Happy learning!
